With another cable change on the horizon, it's time to really, really, really, really, SERIOUSLY consider a better hardware upgrade path.
The current path for the EIO upgrade is to send it in and wait for the upgraded cable to be returned "soon".
I assume that once the USB cable is released ("soon", there will be another upgrade process involving sending the cable to be exchanged "soon".
The problem is, "soon" apparently means something very different to different people. "Soon" to me means I send in my old cable by FedEx Overnight, it arrives the next day, goes back out the SAME day by FedEx Overnight, and I'm only down for two days total, absolutely positively guaranteed, no matter what else is going on. Yeah, I'm sure some people have gotten it that quick, but I mean guaranteed - not "well, we were busy with other things, but it should go out first thing next month".
[edit: You (HPT) are busy doing good things. Why not simplify your lives, and maybe bring in some more revenue too?]
It would be MUCH easier for everyone [edit: (HPT and customers) if HPT] offered the option of just sending out replacement cables. I understand that the cable hardware is the copy protection, so you can't just send them out willy-nilly. No problem, just charge a core deposit. Set the deposit at the full price of simply buying a complete new software package. Heck, make it $1000. I don't care what the amount is as long as it is refunded once the old cable is returned. Raise the price of the upgrade a little if you have to [edit: make it worth your time ] . Offer the upgraded cable at a higher price with no exchange required if you have to (though that breaks the copy protection idea).
Just to be clear, I'm not complaining about the upgrade price. I would happily pay MORE (within reason) to be able to upgrade the hardware without downtime.
[edit: I'm sure other people feel the same way. Of course, I'm sure some people will still want a bottom dollar option, even if they need to wait a while for it. However, during the racing season, several weeks of downtime is a LONG time. It effectively means, wait until the season is over or buy a second copy just to get the EIO cable. Neither option is very appealing.]
Downtime is not a solution, and "soon" means nothing.
A "zero downtime with core deposit" exchange is needed "soon", which really means "yesterday". [edit: In other words, I've got cash. Do you want it?]